I have a wood deck which has iced over. We still want to BBQ on the grill, what can I use to melt the ice?

Question

It's winter, we live in Michigan, it snows, and we still want to grill, there is ice on the wood deck, what would be the best thing to melt the ice off the wood. I am relatively sure that rock salt will start to ruin the wood. What are your suggestions?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Kitty litter, the coarse type, will give you traction might help melt the ice when the sun hits it and will not harm your deck or the ground beneath. DO NOT USE THE KIND THAT CLUMPS!!

Answer 2

After reading all the other answers ... they are all correct. I have been power cleaning decks for some time and have tried all these practices with success. I have found that the product that works the fastest and with less hassle is going to the auto parts store or mass retailer and buying a can of BRAKE CLEANER. Brake cleaner actually breaks down the grease in an instant and evaporates almost immediately. I just rinsed off the area and it was done. I keep a couple cans with me all the time when going out to wash off decks. It also works on stubborn food or drink stains like koolaide ... Good luck.

Answer 3

You can use ice melt, or rock salt.
You need to make sure you thoroughly wash the deck though.
Both of these items will damage the finish on your deck.

Answer 4

why not take the shovel and gently chip the ice away from the surface of the wood then shovel the broken up ice off, just be careful and you won't harm the surface of your deck, plus this will probably be much faster than waiting for ice melter to work not to mention the amount that you would have to use

Answer 5

pick and hammer to remove the ice, or shovels - break the edges and work the tools underneath.

Answer 6

You can use Calcium chloride.

Answer 7

try rubber mats